Bills outlook is bleak per ESPN's future NFL Power Rankings

There has been a lot of optimism surrounding the Buffalo Bills among the fanbase after the team cleaned house and hired an entirely new coaching staff and front office.

However, in the eyes of national pundits at ESPN Insider, the future outlook for the Bills is bleak, according to the power rankings that Field Yates, Mike Sando and Louis Riddick put together power rankings for each team over the next three years and Buffalo ranked 26th.

Related

The Bills’ organizational structure underwent arguably the most extreme overhaul of any in the NFL this past offseason, with GM Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott now in charge. Whether or not Tyrod Taylor is the quarterback beyond 2017, a primary task of the Bills’ front-office duo is to upgrade at wide receiver. Sammy Watkins has just one year left on his rookie contract, and health issues have plagued his career thus far.

Louis Riddick explained that his biggest worry regarding the team was due to the division they play in – the AFC East – with the New England Patriots -who have dominated not only the conference but the entire NFL. Riddick believes that Taylor is earning a reasonable salary but questions whether he can be consistent enough to dethrone New England.

Related

McDermott opted to keep Taylor around this offseason, restructuring his deal into a two-year, $30.5 million contract. That’s a reasonable salary to pay a quarterback like Taylor. But the only thing that matters for the Bills is finding a way to challenge New England for AFC East supremacy. Is Taylor good enough to do that? I’m not a believer. We shall see. — Louis Riddick

Sando provided some optimism, noting that the change in the front office could lead to better drafting, and in turn, a better return on their investments.

What could change for the better: The Bills finished with the sixth-lowest ranking in draft outlook, but it’s realistic to think Buffalo is finally well-positioned for a stronger showing in that regard. Hiring a head coach and general manager during the same offseason means the Bills’ front office is synced up. While that doesn’t assure drafting success, it can help facilitate it. — Mike Sando

The Bills have missed the playoffs for 17 consecutive seasons, so there isn’t much to argue with regarding their future outlook. However, with a new regime in place and an influx of new talent, the 2017 season could be one that allows Buffalo to begin turning things around.

Like this article?

Sign up for the Bills Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning

Success

Thanks for signing up.
You'll be waking up a little more awesome tomorrow.